From Feb. 27 to March 5, U.S. Soccer will host the fourth annual SheBelieves Cup, one of the most elite four-team international women’s soccer tournaments in the world. The top-ranked USA will welcome women’s soccer powers Brazil (No. 10 in the FIFA Rankings), England (No. 4) and Japan (No. 8). Here are five things to know about the 2019 SheBelieves Cup.

France Bound: 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup ParticipantsThis year, the SheBelieves Cup includes Brazil and Japan, two teams who have been part of the Tournament of Nations the past two years. They join England and the USA to make up an incredibly competitive field, as all four participants are not only among the top women’s soccer countries in the world, but more importantly, are all headed to France this summer for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup. Brazil, Japan and the USA are three of the seven teams that have participated in each of the seven previous Women’s World Cup tournaments.

Schedule Format and How to WatchThe U.S. team begins its schedule on Wednesday, Feb. 27
against Japan at Talen Energy Stadium in Chester, Pa. (7 p.m. ET on
FS1). England will kick off the competition against Brazil (4p.m. ET on
ussoccer.com) in the early game that day. All the teams will then travel to Nashville, Tenn. and Nissan Stadium where
the USA will play England on Saturday, March 2 (3:30 p.m.CT on FOX), which
will be preceded by Brazil vs. Japan (1p.m. CT on ussoccer.com). The
tournament will finish on Tuesday, March 5, at Raymond James Stadium in
Tampa, Fla. as Japan takes on England (5:15p.m. ET on ussoccer.com) followed
by the tournament finale, featuring the USA against Brazil (8p.m. ET on
FS1).

Date

Match-Up

Kickoff

Venue

TV

Feb. 27

England vs. Brazil

4 p.m. ET

Talen Energy Stadium; Chester, Pa.

ussoccer.com

Feb. 27

USA vs. Japan

7 p.m. ET

Talen Energy Stadium; Chester, Pa.

FS1, Fox Sports App

March 2

Brazil vs. Japan

1 p.m. CT

Nissan Stadium; Nashville, Tenn.

ussoccer.com

March 2

USA vs. England

3:30 p.m. CT

Nissan Stadium; Nashville, Tenn.

FOX, Fox Sports App

March 5

Japan vs. England

5:15 p.m. ET

Raymond James Stadium; Tampa, Fla.

ussoccer.com

March 5

USA vs. Brazil

8 p.m. ET

Raymond James Stadium; Tampa, Fla.

FS1, Fox Sports App

SheBelieves: Inspiring the Next GenerationConceived and developed by the U.S. Women’s National Team players, SheBelieves is a movement to inspire young girls and women and encourage them to accomplish their goals and dreams, athletic or otherwise. The campaign was originally launched in the run-up to the 2015 Women’s World Cup but has since evolved and grown into a special bond between the team and its fans, taking its powerful message of empowerment and that of believing in yourself into communities across the nation.

As one of the most popular women’s teams in the United States, the WNT is the prime example that dreams are attainable if you set your mind to it and go after what you want. Through dedication, teamwork, perseverance and success, the players in the U.S. team inspire new generations of young girls and women to be better and strive for better. They inspire them to believe.

SheBelieves Cup HistoryIn the 2016 SheBelieves Cup, the USA defeated England and France by 1-0 scores and downed Germany, 2-1, in the de facto championship game to take the inaugural tournament title. Germany finished second, England was third and France was fourth. In fact, none of the games were decided by more than one goal with the results coming down to three 1-0 victories, two 2-1 victories and one 0-0 draw.

At the 2017 SheBelieves Cup, the USA defeated Germany 1-0 in the opening match on a goal from Lynn Williams, but fell to England 1-0 and France 3-0. France won the tournament, Germany was second, England third and the USA finished fourth. France defeated England 2-1, drew 0-0 with Germany and downed the USA, 3-0.

Last year, the USA took back the trophy, finishing ahead of England, France
and Germany. This time, the teams scored 16 total goals and two games
featured larger than one-goal margins with England beating France, 4-1, and
France beating Germany, 3-0. The USA, in 2016, was the only team to win all
three games in any of the previous SheBelieves Cups.

In the previous three
editions, no individual player has scored more than two goals in a
tournament. Four players have scored twice: Alex Morgan in 2016, Camille
Abily of France in 2017, and Ellen White of England and Eugénie Le Sommer
in 2018.

The Best Players in the WorldProbably one of the most exciting things about the SheBelieves Cup, not only for teams and players but also for fans in the United States, is that the tournament provides the opportunity to watch some of the most talented women’s players on the planet.

This includes not only the U.S. players like prolific goal scorer Alex
Morgan, or creative attackers like Megan Rapinoe and Tobin Heath, but also
forward Eugenie Le Sommer and towering defender Wendy Renard of France;
six-time FIFA Player of the Year Marta of Brazil and her strike partner
Cristiane, veteran Japan players Rumi Utsugi of Reign FC and Saki Kumagai
of two-time reigning UEFA Champions League winners Olympique Lyon, or
England players like team leader Steph Houghton, veteran midfielder Jill
Scott and Barcelona forward Toni Duggan.

CHICAGO (Feb. 19, 2018) – A panel of former U.S. WNT players has narrowed down the 2019 SheBelieves Hero contest to four finalists whose inspiring stories and determination made them stand out from the impressive field.

A SheBelieves Hero is a leader in their community, a confident and passionate individual who empowers others around her and actively works to make a difference.

We now need YOU to pick your favorite! Watch all four videos and vote for who you believe should be a SheBelieves Hero. The winner will be announced the week of Feb. 25.

CHICAGO (Feb. 16, 2019) – The U.S. Soccer Membership approved a range of appointments and proposals this weekend at the 2019 U.S. Soccer Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Scottsdale, Ariz.

During the National Council Meeting, former U.S. Women’s National Team star Cindy Parlow Cone was elected Vice President, while technology executive Patti Hart was confirmed as an Independent Director on the U.S. Soccer Board of Directors. Additionally, three applicants, Asociacion Nacional Futbol en EU, U.S. Youth Futsal and United States Association of Blind Athletes were admitted as new U.S. Soccer Member Organizations, and the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) was provisionally sanctioned as a Division III professional league.

CINDY CONE ELECTED NEW U.S. SOCCER VP
Recently inducted as a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame Class of 2018, Parlow Cone was the sole candidate to complete the nomination process in order to run for the office of the Vice President. Parlow Cone’s term will last one year as she assumes the office that was vacated when former Vice President Carlos Cordeiro was elected as President last February at the 2018 U.S. Soccer AGM. Once the current term is finished next year, the Vice-Presidential election for a full, four-year term will be held at the 2020 National Council Meeting.

“I am grateful to be able to continue to serve our great game as U.S. Soccer Vice President,” said Parlow Cone. “I believe with my extensive knowledge of, and experience working in, the soccer landscape of our country, from grassroots to the international level, I will help U.S. Soccer continue to build, develop, and grow soccer in the United States at every level.”

Parlow Cone’s election as U.S. Soccer VP is the latest step in an impressive career that began as a star forward with the U.S. Women’s National Team from 1996-2004, and title-winning coach at the grassroots, collegiate and professional levels. During the past 20 years, she has served on U.S. Soccer’s Referee Committee, Medical Advisory Committee, Appeals Committee and the Athletes’ Council as well as more recently with U.S. Soccer’s Youth Task Force.

PATTI HART CONFIRMED AS INDEPENDENT DIRECTORTo replace Independent Director Val Ackerman, whose term expired this week, the National Council elected Patti Hart, an experienced CEO and board member with deep expertise in technology and entertainment to the U.S. Soccer Board of Directors. She also specializes in sales and marketing and brings a keen understanding of consumer trends and corporate governance. Hart has spent 13 years at International Game Technology, Inc., including six as CEO and the last three as vice chairman, leading one of the most innovative and profitable gaming companies with offices on six continents.

“We’re very grateful to Val for her years of service to U.S. Soccer,” said U.S. Soccer President Carlos Cordeiro. “We wish her the best as she continues in her role as Commissioner of the NCAA’s Big East Conference.”

“We’re excited that we were able to bring on such an outstanding individual to serve as Independent Director,” Cordeiro said about Hart. “Patti comes to us with an incredible business background, tremendous experience, and a track record of success in her professional career. We delighted to formally welcome her to the U.S. Soccer family.”

THREE NEW U.S. SOCCER MEMBERS
The addition of Asociacion Nacional Futbol en EU, U.S. Youth Futsal and United States Association of Blind Athletes as new Members brings the total number of U.S. Soccer Member Organizations to 110 and will help further U.S. Soccer’s mission to make soccer, in all its forms, a preeminent sport in the United States and to continue the development of soccer at all recreational and competitive levels.

PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE SANCTIONING
The National Women’s Soccer League was sanctioned for 2019 Division I professional competition during the U.S. Soccer Board of Directors meeting on Friday, Feb. 15.

In the same meeting, the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) was provisionally sanctioned, adding a second Division III professional league in the United States alongside the United Soccer League’s (USL) League One. USL also operates the USL Championship as a Division II professional league, while Major League Soccer operates as a Division I professional league.

COMMITMENT TO U.S. SOCCER EXTENDED NATIONAL TEAMSU.S. Soccer has made a tangible commitment in the form of increased resources to its extended National Teams. Starting this year, for the first time ever—U.S. Soccer will have a new department focused exclusively on supporting the Beach National Team, Futsal National Team, and Para 7-a-Side National Team. It will include three new technical hires and a dedicated budget of $2 million. This commitment will enable our Paralympians to play for the team full time.

U.S. SOCCER HONOREESU.S. Soccer honored two life-long servants of the sport during the AGM. Richard Groff, a former USASA President and U.S. Soccer Board member, joined the family of U.S. Soccer Life Members, which is an honor presented to individuals in recognition of long-time service and distinguished contributions to soccer in the United States. Groff was previously bestowed with the prestigious Werner Fricker Builder Award in 2014, receiving the U.S. Soccer Federation’s highest individual honor for tirelessly furthering the interest of the sport of soccer without regard to personal recognition or advancement.

Joining Groff on the distinguished list of Werner Fricker winners is former U.S. Women’s National Team player, head coach, and Youth Technical Director, April Heinrichs, who was honored at an awards dinner following the National Council Meeting. Heinrichs a world champion as a player, coach and administrator, who captained the USA to the first FIFA Women’s World Cup title in 1991 and then embarked on a long career in support of the women’s game, is the second woman to be honored with the Werner Fricker Builder Award following her former WNT teammate Mary Harvey, who received the award in 2017. Heinrichs is the fourth consecutive Werner Fricker winner whose career focused on building the sport for women and girls in the United States.Read more

U.S. Women’s National Team head coach Jill Ellis has named the 23-player
roster for the 2019 SheBelieves Cup, which features the top-ranked USA, No.
4 England, No. 8 Japan and No. 10 Brazil.
All four teams will be participating in this summer’s 2019 FIFA Women’s
World Cup in France. Brazil, Japan and the USA are three of the seven teams
that have participated in each of the se
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SheBelieves started as a hashtag in 2015 leading up to the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Your U.S. Women’s National Team shared a call to action for young women to set high goals and work to be the best on the field, or in their chosen field, whether it was academics, the arts, finance, technology or wherever their interests led them.
The U.S. WNT team lead by example, winning the 2015 FIFA
Read more

CHICAGO (Feb. 7, 2019) – U.S. Soccer and Deloitte announced today a multi-year agreement for Deloitte to be the Official Professional Services Provider of the U.S. Soccer Federation and Foundational Sponsor of SheBelieves, beginning with the 2019 season, and running through 2021. As part of the agreement, Deloitte will be the title sponsor of the second annual U.S. Soccer SheBelieves Summit,
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The U.S. Women’s National Team is only months away from the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France. As the USA prepares to defend its world title, here are nine can’t miss WNT events during Countdown to the Cup that will lead into the main event this summer!
USA vs. Japan: The USA and Japan have played some of the most historic matches in women’s soccer history. The cRead more

ALICANTE, Spain (Jan. 22, 2019) – The U.S. Women’s National Team defeated Spain 1-0 in the first international meeting between the two teams thanks to a second half goal created by a strong individual effort from halftime substitute Christen Press.
The first 45 minutes began with both teams wrestling to impose their style on the match, but after a hard-charging opening 10 minutes fromRead more

The USA is
coming off a 3-1 loss to 2019 Women’s World Cup hosts France on
January 19 in Le Havre
and will now look to get back to its winning ways when it faces Spain
on Jan. 22 at Estadio José Rico Perez in Alicante (2:30 p.m. ET on
ESPN2 & UDN). Spain will also be in France this summer after
qualifying for its second Women’s World Cup.
A less than full-strength U.S.Read more

On Tuesday, Jan. 22 (2:30 p.m. ET; ESPN2 & UDN), the U.S. WNT will take
on Spain for the first time in team history. The match will be played in
Alicante, located on the central east coast of Spain. Here are Five Things
to Know about this rising women’s soccer nation.
Spain Roster
GOALKEEPERS (3):
Lola Gallardo (Atlético de Madrid), Sandra Paños (FC Barcelona), Sun
Qui&nRead more

LE HAVRE, France (Jan. 19, 2019) – The U.S. Women’s National Team opened its 10-game pre-2019 World Cup schedule with a 3-1 loss to tournament hosts, France at Stade Océane – one of the USA’s group stage venues for this summer’s competition – in front of raucous sold-out crowd of 23,000.
France’s Kadidiatou Diani put the hosts on the board early witRead more